Urinary System: Functions, Components, and Health
**Functions of the Urinary System**
- Removes metabolic wastes from the blood
- Maintains proper pH in blood (approximately 7.4)
- Controls the amount of electrolytes (mineral salts)
- Regulates water balance in the body
- Produces some hormones, such as erythropoietin (for red blood cell production)
**Urinary System Components**
- Kidneys
- Bladder
- Ureters
- Urethra
**Kidneys**
Kidneys are paired, bean-shaped organs. Humans can live with one, even with 90% of its function lost, without needing a transplant. They are located
Read MoreAnimal and Fungi Biology: Key Concepts and Characteristics
Key Concepts in Animal Biology
Body Temperature Regulation
What kind of animal does not use its energy to regulate its body temperature?
Ectotherm
How does the minimum body size compare in ectotherms and endotherms?
Ectotherms have a smaller minimum body size.
What kind of animal uses its energy to regulate its body temperature?
Endotherm
Which will lose body heat to its environment at a faster rate if all other conditions are the same?
A small animal will lose body heat at a faster rate.
Body Size and Environment
How
Read MoreBiotic and Abiotic Components: Matter, Energy, Photosynthesis
Biotic and Abiotic Components: Matter and Energy
- Biotic and abiotic components are made of matter. Matter is what holds a place in the ecosystem, has weight and volume, undergoes transformations, and may or may not have its own form. The world is classified into organic matter (in living organisms and their derivatives, proteins, fats, sugars, etc.) and inorganic matter (in the inanimate world, living things like water, minerals, gases).
- Organic Matter: Whenever hydrogen is composed of carbon and
Understanding Ecosystems: Habitats, Keystone Species, and Invasive Threats
Habitat
A habitat is the natural environment in which a living organism lives.
Keystone Species
A keystone species plays an important role in an ecosystem, maintaining biodiversity. Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be drastically different or cease to exist altogether.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem includes all organisms living in a certain area and the environment surrounding that area.
Types of Keystone Species
- Keystone Predators: Predators help control the populations of prey species, which in
Understanding the Evolution of Life Forms and Humans
Evolution of Life Forms: A Theory
Conventional religious literature presents the theory of special creation, which suggests that:
- All living organisms we see today were created as such.
- The diversity of life has remained constant since creation and will continue to be the same in the future.
- The Earth is approximately 4,000 years old.
These ideas faced strong challenges during the nineteenth century. Based on observations made during a sea voyage around the world in a sail ship called H.M.S. Beagle,
Read MoreResin Composites in Dentistry: Uses, Pros, and Cons
Advantages of Resin Composites
Resin composites offer several benefits in dental applications:
- Superior aesthetic quality: They closely mimic the natural appearance of teeth.
- Satisfactory physical and mechanical properties: They possess adequate strength, toughness, and surface hardness.
- Conservation and reinforcement of tooth structure: When combined with adhesives, they help preserve and strengthen the remaining tooth.
- Low thermal conductivity: They do not transmit thermal shocks to the pulp, enhancing